Ministry of Defence

Nuclear Submarines

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 December 2015 (HL4575), whether they plan to hold the debate in Parliament on the principle of Continuous at Sea Deterrence and their plans for the Successor submarine before orafter the Scottish general election.

Earl Howe: Her Majesty's Government has confirmed it will hold a debate in Parliament on the principle of Continuous at Sea Deterrence and our plans for Successor. A decision on when it will be held will be taken in due course.

Tornado Aircraft

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of Tornado aircraft fully modified and available for operations in relation to the total air fleet.

Earl Howe: As of 13 January 2016, 48 Tornado aircraft are held in the Forward Available Fleet. This includes aircraft that are held at readiness for contingent operations alongside those deployed on operationsI am withholding the exact number of Tornado aircraft that are available for operations on the grounds of safeguarding national security.